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Silicon Fast Facts

Foods: Oatmeal, high fiber cereals, nuts, grains, wine, beer

Nutritional & health benefits: studies have shown benefits to hair health, bone & cartilage development

No, not the kind found in Silicon Valley. It's the controversial nutrient that recent research suggests is an aid to bone and cartilage development.

Silicon, which is known as Si on the periodic table, is most notable for the role it plays in electronics, but silicon is also a trace mineral essential for human health. Silicon has many roles in the body, but its most important role may well be the one in which it provides health benefits for bones and the human skeletal system.

It wasn't until quite recently that the idea that silicon could provide health benefits to humans was taken seriously. Finally, though, there have been several studies which have demonstrated that silicon plays an essential role in the formation and repair of bones and joints.

There is also a great deal of evidence to suggest that silicon is important for preventing the onset of bone related illnesses such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, and can even significantly slow down the illness' progression by keeping bones healthy for much longer than they otherwise would be without supplementation.

There is also limited evidence to suggest that silicon is useful as a topical treatment. In one study, test subjects were asked to apply a certain kind of silicon called colloidal silicic acid to their faces twice a day, as well as ingest 10 ml of the same type of silicon once per day. The results were an improvement in the strength and thickness of skin, improved nails and hair health, and reduced wrinkles. The study, however, was quite small, and more research is needed to confirm the results.

For anyone looking to improve their silicon intake, silicon is very widely available and can be found in most common fruits and vegetables. Studies have confirmed that beer, too, is an excellent source of silicon.

More information about silicon around the Web:

Find out more about silicon claims and health benefits in recent research along with info on good food sources and supplements...

Metals in Health and Disease - Silicon - Function, food sources, symptoms of deficiency, therapeutic uses and Information on animal and human research studies.

Silicon - A complete description plus information on its claimed benefits, indications and usage, and citations of related literature from PDRhealth.

USNA Health Sciences - Silicon - Overview of research suggesting its benefit to humans in development of bone, cartilage and connective tissue, sources and recommended intake, research abstract, references.

Silicon: An Essential Nutrient of Good Bone Health - A good history of the battle to bring silicon's nutritional importance to light, with a nod to recent research studies, suggested requirements and food sources.

Beer News: Good to the Bone - Information on recent research pointing to beer as a significant and well-absorbed source of dietary silicon, from Realbeer.com.